Apparatus for matching paired socks and stockings



Dec. 10, 1968 M. P. RABINOWITZ 3,414,944

APPARATUS FOR MATCHING PAIRED SUCKS AND STOCKINGS Filed April 20, 1967 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In matching apparatus for use with paired socks and stockings, the preferred embodiment comprising a disclike member folded across the center portion and including a pair of opposed, facing clip tabs for clamping the socks to be matched to one another.

Summary of problem and invention Matched pairs of socks are best maintained one with the other as a matter of economy and convenience. Of particular note is the large number of white socks or stockings usually owned by children, particularly teen- :agers, which are typically washed loosely with other clothing which thereafter require matching to re-mate the socks or stockings-sometimes a diflicult and tedious task. In the maintenance of matched pairs, use of apparatus to which the present invention relates should effect rapid engagement and disengagement, and this without damage to the socks. With a view of maintaining a pair of socks or stockings in close proximity to one another, the present invention incorporates means for rapidly joining individual socks into a pair which is maintained during washing. This avoids the problem of having to sort through enumerable loose socks or stockings which are otherwise identical except for slight graduations in color or a trivial change in knit or pattern. Therefore, the present invention is summarized as providing a preferred embodiment comprising a disc-like member which is folded along a diameter to provide a pair of matched and opposing portions, each portion having a clip tab segment cut therefrom for releasably joining the pair of socks together for washing or storing the socks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive and simple device which releasably joins a pair of socks or stockings together to prevent separation of the matched pair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device for joining a pair of socks releasably together which requires minimum effort in use and yet which provides maximum convenience.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved clip tab apparatus for matching socks into pairs wherein a pair of movable clip tabs positioned facing one another are defined by semicircular stationary arcuate portions serving as clamps against which the clip tabs secure the pair of socks or stockings.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following specification and included drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the device of the present invention engaging a pair of socks and maintaining same in a mated condition;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating details of construction of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an additional embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line 55 for indicating additional details thereof.

In the drawings, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a pair of socks 10 joined together by the preferred embodiment of the present invention 12. The sock mating means 12 includes a pair of opposed and matching clip tabs, one of which is indicated by the numeral 14 for engaging one of the socks 10 for matching the pair of socks. The clip tab 14 is duplicated by an opposing and identical tab (shown in FIG. 3) which engages the other sock in the pair 10. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus 12 of the present invention as being clipped onto the heel of a first sock 15 with a second sock 17 also placed essentially parallel thereto. The heel of the sock, or any other portion desired, is placed beneath the clip tab 14 of the present invention for releasable joinder to prevent losing or separating the individual socks of the pair 10.

Keeping FIG. 1 in overall view as providing perspective of the present invention, the sock clip 12 of the present invention is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, it will be noted that the device of the present invention is formed from a generally disc-like structure which is folded along a central line, preferably a diameter of the disc, to provide a pair of symmetrical and facing portions which are indicated generally at 20 and 22. The opposing faces are defined by the bead 24 at the fold which is their joint or common edge, and extend to an arcuate periphery at 26. By way of illustration, the dimensions of the pre ferred embodiment 12 are approximately one to one and one-fourth inches in length along the bead 24 and, of course, the arcuate periphery 26 will extend approximately one-half to three-fourths inch measured perpendicularly from the line of the bead 24. It will be appreciated that the blank stock comprising the device of the present invention before forming need not be perfectly circular in shape. That is, it may be somewhat oblong so that the arcuate portion might extend perhaps as much as an inch from the bead 24 whereby the device is a blank approximately one inch wide and two inches long prior to cutting and forming. This is a matter of detail and subject to variation 'so' long as the device of the present invention has suflicient depth of engagement beneath the clip tab 14 to substantially and reliably engage the socks placed beneath the clip tab 14.

Attention is directed to FIG. 3 of the drawings which illustrates the clip tabs 14 and 16 of the device 12 in the opposed and facing relationship. The head 24 is shown in FIG. 3 as providing substantial structural support across the device for supporting the clip tabs 14 and 16. The clip tabs 14 and 16 are formed into spring loaded means by appropriate shaping as will be described. A valley is formed at 24a and 24b at the lower edge of the bead 24 which defines the beginning portions of the spring-loaded clip tabs 14 and 16. An outwardly flared portion is shaped at 14a and 16a in each of the clip tabs proper. The curvature of the flared portions 14a and 16a is then flared into planar portions at 1412 and 16b, respectively. The parallel and planar portions 14b and 16b extend substantially downwardly as shown in FIG. 3

to a pair of outwardly turned lips. 14c and 16c beneath which it is possible to insert the socks 15 and 17 for ease of engagement. More particularly, it should be noted that the upturned lips 14c and 160 do not span the full width of the device 12 as shown in FIG. 2. That is to say, the out-turned portions and are near the lower portions of the clip tabs wherein the arcuate chord is not as great in length as the head 24 or the portions of the clip tabs immediately adjacent to the bead 24. The outwardly curved portions 14a and 1601 are substantially longer since they are located near the bead of the sock clipping means 12.

In operation, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used by inserting the heel or other portion of each sock beneath each tab 14 and 16. The clip tabs are used in conjunction with the arcuate portions 20 and 22 to clamp each sock or stocking inserted therein. More specifically, the first sock is inserted beneath one of the clip tabs by lifting the tab slightly and the sock is pressed into the slot defined between the arcuate member 20 and the upturned lip 14c on the clip tab 14. The springiness of the tabs 14 and 16 which are bent close to one another enables operation as a clamp for maintaining the sock engaged with the device 12 of the present invention. Insertion of a second sock through the facing slot defined by the clip tab 16 in the arcuate portion 22 effects a similar joinder of the device 12 to the second sock of the pair. That is, the sock is inserted beneath the upturned lip 16c and clamped adjacent the arcuate portion 22 as a means of securing the socks in close proximity to one another. It will be appreciated that a pair of socks can be inserted in the device 12 of the present invention in a relatively short period, perhaps as little as ten to fifteen seconds. Likewise, removal is equally fast, if not faster, and the pair of socks can be removed from the device 12 of the present invention perhaps in as little time as five seconds. It will be appreciated that use of the device 12 keeps the mated pair of socks together to avoid the tedious and time consuming task of attempting to rematch each pair, this being accomplished in face of the fact that the socks may be difficult to identify when mixed with other socks or stockings which differ only by graduations of color or details of knit or weave.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is indicated at 60 in FIG. 4. The alternative embodiment 60 shown in the plan view of FIG. 4 is generally semicircular although it need not be formed from a truly circular blank. The device shown in FIG. 4 includes a bead at 64 which is approximately coincident with a diameter of the device and which secures the downwardly projecting arcuate portion 66. Attention is directed to FIG. for a view of the matching opposite face 68, both of the arcuate portions 66 and 68 extending from the bead 64. In FIG. 4, it will be noted that two clip tabs are formed at 72 and 74. Clip tabs 72 and 74 are in the range of perhaps one-eighth inch wide each to provide a pair of parallel and symmetrical clip tabs, each of which engages the socks shown in FIG. 1. The clip tabs 72 and 74 each have an upturned lip 72a and 74a, respectively, at the lower ends to permit the sock of the matched pair to be inserted beneath the clip tabs of the present device. More particularly, it will be noted that a springy, shaped portions 72b and 74b is formed in each of the clip tabs and spring-loads the clip tabs. This is particularly noted in FIG. 5 wherein the spring-loading means 72b is appropriately formed at the lower portions of the bead 64 to maintain the clip tab ever ready for engagement.

The embodiment 60 has a pair of clip tabs on each side of the device. The shape, construction and general layout of all four clip tabs of the means 60 are preferably similar, or even identical. It is believed that the foregoing description of the means 60 is fully understood by reference to details of similarity found in the embodiment 12.

The embodiment 60 shown in FIG. 4 is used in the same manner as was the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, a portion of a sock is inserted beneath the parallel clip tabs 72 and 74, preferably, and this is accomplished on each side of the embodiment 60 so that the pair of socks are mated one to the other with a quickly releasable connection.

Without further extending the description of the embodiment 60, it will be noted that the use of the device 60 is similar to the apparatus 12 as was more fully de scribed hereinabove.

Of course, numerous variations in the present invention can be adapted without departing from the scope of the claims appended hereto. For instance, the device of the present invention can be formed of flexible material such as spring metal, or plastic in the alternative. Also, the device of the present invention can be fabricated from a blank which is bent or folded in the manner described hereinbefore, or the device may be formed by molding as an integral structure with the central fold pre-formed in the molding process. The device of the present invention may be further formed of a material which is then coated with a suitable paint or plastic with a view of maintaining a rust-free external surface to protect against damaging the socks when exposed to water. Other changes and alterations in the present invention will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, however, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for releasably maintaining a pair of socks in matched condition during machine washing thereof dimensioned so as to minimize snagging of other items being washed and being formed of material which has sufficient strength to firmly grip the socks during spin drying thereof, said apparatus comprising a blank of bendable sheet material bent upon itself at the center portion thereof to form two portions separated by a tubular bead therealong and having the free ends of these portions biased against each other by the resilience of the bead, each of said portions having resilient clip means struck out therefrom which are joined at one end to the bead and suitably dimensioned to readily receive and firmly grip an upper portion of a sock when inserted therein.

2. Apparatus for use in releasably matching pairs of socks or stockings after being washed, tumbled, agitated or dried in conventional laundry apparatus, comprising a pair of joined means, each of Which is adapted to releasably clamp each of a pair of socks and to secure the socks in close proximity to one another, said means each releasing the socks on hand removal, and further resisting release of the socks by clamping the socks sufliciently when placed in an operating conventional laundry equipment, wherein said apparatus is formed of a generally circular blank which is creased to form a bead dividing said blank into two major portions, clip tab means associated with each of said major portions, means juxtapositioned relative to each of said clip tab means for clamping a sock therebetween, said means being defined in shape by the circumference of said blank after the bead is creased therein.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said clip tab means have a lip raised with respect to said juxtapositioned means to permit ease of insertion of the sock.

4. Apparatus for use in releasably matching pairs of socks or stockings after being washed, tumbled, agitated or dried in conventional laundry apparatus, comprising a pair of joined and adjacent means, said pair of means being adapted to releasably clamp each of a pair of socks and to secure the socks in close proximity to one another, said pair of means being adapted to releasably clamp each of a pair of socks and to secure the socks in close proximity to one another, said pair of means releasing the socks on hand removal, and further resisting release of the socks by clamping the socks sufficiently when placed in an operating conventional laundry equipment, wherein said apparatus is formed with a central bead between said pair of means having an inner opening for receiving the socks therein, said bead resiliently mounting said pair of means for clamping movement action holding the socks therebetween, and further dividing said apparatus into two major portions having flared end portions opposite said bead for ease of insertion of the socks into the inner opening of said apparatus.

(References on following page) 5 6 References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,787 5/ 1953 Germany.

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2,006,843 7/1935 Russell. U.S. Cl.X.R 2,620,809 12/1952 Rosen. 24259 

